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67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE NEXT SONG YOU HEAR ............., November 19, 2000
..... may not be the one you're expecting. While Browne has included "Doctor My Eyes", "The Pretender", and "Running On Empty" in this 15 - track retrospective, many of the songs we might have expected are conspicuous by their absence. Note: The album's title is "Best Of," not "Greatest Hits." The artist has stated that this collection was put together in a way such that it would provide the listener an account, or a "record" of his state of mind during different stages of his long career. Browne has never been one to hide his emotions, and, by listening to this set chronologically, the listener is able to get a great feel for his growth as a songwriter, because of the songs that ARE included here, not in spite of the ones that aren't. A novel concept, in my opinion. Personally speaking, I bought the disc for three reasons: First, it includes "Somebody's Baby", a track that had never been released on a Jackson Browne album. (Maybe on the soundtrack to "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," if there is such a thing). Second, "The Rebel Jesus" is a wonderful song featuring long - time Browne collaborator and friend David Lindley. I had heard a version of "Rebel" on a Chieftains Christmas album, with Jackson providing the vocals, and this reading, while quite different, is just as moving. Third, for the "bonus" track, the title cut. It's pretty much basic Browne fare, but hey, it's new Browne, and how often does that happen? Also, a "basic" Jackson Browne song is usually much better than a "great" song by anyone else in this genre. I own everything Browne has ever recorded, so the only surprise here was the inclusion of so many of the "lesser - known" songs, and how they seemed to fit into the pattern of the recording. "These Days" and "Call It A Loan" are prime examples - both are superb songs that probably didn't receive the attention they deserved when originally released. Interestingly enough, only one "political" song is present here, the haunting "Lives In The Balance." Browne was beaten up pretty badly by the so - called experts during the "Lawyers In Love" / "Lives In The Balance" / "World In Motion" trilogy, and I was glad to see he included "Lives" here. Jackson Browne has always been outspoken politically, and to eschew that portion of his career when the bulk of his music was politically motivated would have provided an incomplete story. "The Next Voice You Hear" gives those who have only heard "Doctor My Eyes" and "Running On Empty" a chance to hear what they have been missing. For those of us who are long - time fans, it's an opportunity to revisit bits and pieces of the Browne catalog and realize again why his music has meant so much to us for such a long time.
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Through the Years with Jackson, June 14, 1998
This album takes fans on a journey through the years of Jackson Browne's evolution. Both in terms of music and life. It was great to hear his first hit, "Doctor My Eyes" sound better than I have heard it before with a cleaned up track. It was almost like hearing for the first time. A surprise to me was to find "Call It A Loan" on a greatest hits list. I read where Jackson considers this record a real "record" of HIS greatest hits and not the fans. A refreshing approach. A plus is also "Somebody's Baby", which to my knowledge, has not been included on any other CD. The two "new" tracks are something special. "The Rebel Jesus", featuring long time friend David Lindley on viola, has a hauntingly Irish feel with Jackson wearing his feelings right on his lyrical sleeve. "The Next Voice You Hear", a funky feeling chart featuring trumpter Jon Hassell soloing, has deeper meanings that we all can relate to and interpret to fit our own lives. A trademark of the deep and meaning lyrics Jackson Browne is known for. Both tracks are absolutely superb recordings and come through crystal clear.This album is a must for any long time Jackson fan or someone that wants to find what they have been missing for the last twenty five years.
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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Best of Jackson Browne? Not Exactly., January 8, 2002
Jackson Browne is one of those artists for whom it would be difficult of compile a single disc collection of his best material. He's had only a handful of obvious hits over the years and many of his best songs are lengthy album tracks. At a mere 15 tracks, two of them brand new for this collection, "Next Voice You Hear" is far too slight to be a good representation.On the plus side, the CD includes "Somebody's Baby," a soundtrack song perviously unavailble on any Jackson Browne album. It also has all of his other best known songs, including his first hit, "Doctor My Eyes," "Running on Empty," and the 1983 MTV staple "Tender is the Night." On the downside, all of his albums, particularly his mid-70's masterpieces "For Everyman" and "Late For the Sky" are represented by only one or two songs. Browne classics like "Before the Deluge," "For Everyman," "Take it Easy," and the masterful live "Stay" are nowhere to be seen. Additionally, the later songs are not as strong as his 70s output, reflecting the decline is his career. Overall, there is nothing wrong with the music that IS included here. There just isn't nearly enough of it.
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~ Jackson Browne
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